George Hennig

1924 - 2017

George Russell Hennig passed away Wednesday, November 29, 2017 of natural causes; he was 90 years old. At the time of his death he was residing at Vibrant Life Senior Living in Temperance, MI. Mr. Hennig had been in declining health for a number of months, and he was under the care of Great Lakes Hospice. Visitation will be at the Capaul Funeral Home, Thursday, December 7, 2017 from 2-8 p.m. The committal of his body will take place at a later date in a private ceremony at the Great Lakes National Cemetery in Holly, MI.
He was born on September 24, 1924 in Toledo, OH, was raised in poverty during the Great Depression, and graduated from Woodward High School in 1945. After high school, he joined the United States Army and became a paratrooper in Company "D" of the 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment and served in that capacity in WWII and in the Korean Conflict. He was awarded the WWII Victory Medal, European Campaign Medal, WWII Army Occupation Medal and the Korean Service Medal. He was honorably discharged.
After military service, George Hennig attended the University of Toledo, graduating with a Bachelor of Education degree. His graduate education was at Eastern Michigan University, culminating in a Master of Arts in Education degree. He taught at Airport, Dundee, Ida and New Boston Huron High Schools, finally retiring from the field of education in 1984. Early in his teaching career, during the summer breaks, he would work as a journeyman carpenter to help support his family. He helped build the Fermi II Nuclear Power Plant.
George Hennig enjoyed singing and he was a lifelong member of S.P.E.B.S.Q.S.A., the barbershop quartet singing society. He enjoyed sailing and was past Commodore of the Monroe Boat Club. He was a coin collector, and he collected decorative beer steins and mugs. Fishing and hunting brought him much enjoyment, and he absolutely loved solving crossword puzzles.
George Hennig is survived by his ex-wife Peggy Hennig (Burke), his companion of 32 years Norida "Lou" Conley; 3 sons, Mark Hennig, Dr. Erik Hennig, MI, Kurt Hennig; and 3 daughters, Michelle Drake, Roxanne Lake, and Suzette Shock. He has 9 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, John Tellson Hennig and Ruth (Rapp) Hennig; 4 brothers, John, Bill, James and Mike "Earl" Hennig; and 2 sisters, Dorothea Woodward and Ruby Hennig.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions for Mr. Hennig may be made to The House of Restoration, 832 South Roessler St., Monroe, MI, 48161.
To send the family condolences, please contact the Capaul Funeral Home at www.capaulfuneralhome.com.